Slack adjuster



Dec. 17, 1929. w. H. SAUVAGE SLACK ADJUSTER Filed Feb. 9. 1925 `a sheets-sheet 1 DecQ 17, 1929.

w. H. SAUVAGE SLACK ADJUSTER l @H101 14,14 A

Patented Dec. 17, 1929 l WILLIL'AM H. SAUVAGE, 0F NEW' YORK, N. Y., ASSGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0

GOULD COUPLER COMPANY, 0F NEW YORK, N, Y. Y

Application filed February This invention relates to improvements in slack adj usters and more particularly to automatic slack adj usters particularly adapted for use in connection with thetruck brake rigging of railway cars, although it is to be understood that various features thereof are applicable to other installations of brake rigging where the effective length of an element thereof is adapted to be changed, for example.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a simple and practical slack adjuster mechanism which will be highly etticient in use and operation.

A further object is to provide a strong and durable slack adjuster mechanism particularly adapted for application to substantially all types of bottom rods of truck brake rigging now in general use.

A further object is to provide a positively acting slack adjuster which will automatically take up and hold the excess slack at each complete operation of the brakes.

Other objects will be in part obvious yfrom the annexed drawings and in part indicated in connection therewith by thefollowing analysis of this invention.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, ycombination of parts and in the unique relation of the various niembers and in the relative proportioning and disposition thereof, all as more clearly outlined herein.

To enable others skilled in the art so fully "j to comprehend the underlying features thereof that they may embody the same by numerous modilications in structure and relation contemplated in this invention, drawings depicting a preferred form have been annexed as a part of this disclosure, and in such drawings like characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout all the views, in which Figure 1 is a vertical elevational View partially in section showing such parts of the slack adjuster and associated brake rigging and truck as are necessary to understand the same;

Figure 2 is a plan view of a slack adjuster; and

e, 1925. semi No. 7,957.

Figure 3 isa vertical sectional view.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, 5 indicates a truck bolster provided with an adjustable hanger 6 at one side, to which the upperend of a dead lever 7 is pivotally secured. At the opposite side of the bolster is a live lever 8 actuated through a pull rod 10 connected with any suitable source of vpower such as the hand brake mechanism or air brake cylinder. Both of thesev levers 7 and 8 carry brake beamsA 11 intermediate their ends, andthe lower ends are pivotally connected to a two-part telescopic push rod' constituting the slack adjuster mechanism shown more in detail in Figures 2 and 3. rlhis mechanism, broadlyspeaking, includes a rod-like member 12-telescoping within a tubular member 13. Associated with this tubular member is a permanent take up and holding device, which, in the. present form, comprises a chamber 14 having a plurality of shims 15 of somewhat U-shaped construction, for exam-v ple, such as shown in Figure 2 of my Patent No. 1,020,519 of' March 19, 1912, normally resting over and upon the top of the rod 12, but as this bar or-rod moves outwardly from the chamber 14 they drop down between the end of the rod 12 and the end wall of the chamber, as clearly shown in Figure 3. rlhe rod 12 is preferably slotted as at 16 and likewise the underside of the chamber 14 is slotted at 17, whereby aflat sheet of metal or.V woodV may be inserted through the bottom of the chamber or rodto raise the shims upwardly whereby the rod 12 may be pushed in Vby hand when it is desired to restore the parts to normal position, as, forexample, when the worn brake shoes are'` to be replaced.v f l Adjacent the barrel member 13 is a pick up dog or temporary adjusting mechanism 18, which preferably has one relatively heavy dog 20. This dog consists of av rectangular sheet of metal having an opening through which the rod 12 passes and is normally held in canted position by means of spring 21. Interposed between the ,housing 18 and a flange 22 at the end of the tubular memberx 13 is a relatively heavy compression springv 23. It will also be noted that the Vbarrel member 13 is provided with perforated ears 24 at each side which permit this barrel to be either a right or left barrel as occasion may require.

Positioned substantially parallel to the parts above described is an adjusting rod 25, one end of which is connected: at 26 to the livelever- 8 and the other end` of which, after passing through lug 24, passesthrongh a lug 27 projecting from the temporary take up housing 18. The end.v of this rod is slotted as at 28 to receive a key acting against the washer 30. A sleeve 31 surrounds the endv of the rod and one or more washers 32 are interposed between this` sleeve and' the lug- 27 thereby to vary the lost motion or brake shoe clearance usually required.

The operation ofthe'device above described is substantiallyl as follows: Onordinary op-.V eration of the brakes, the live lever Sis moved to the right on application thereof, and reacts through the slack adjuster to the dead.' lever 7 to bring the brake shoes carriedt by the beams 11 intoV eng-agement with the peripheries of the wheels. On e-Xcess travelv eX- ceeding the normal, thefadjusting rod comes into operation to' move thetemporary take up mechanismV contained within t-he housing 18 relativelytowards the right, thereby com-Y pressing thespring 23.l On release of the f, brakes, this spring expands, and the take updog 20, having abiting or positive engagement with the rod 12, willl force the. same outwardly from the barrel member 1.3 an amount corresponding to this excess travel,

thereby allowing one or more of the shifms 1'5 todrop down between. the end ofthe rodf and thefend wa-ll of the chamber. This op-r eration is repeated every time excess travel occurs, as is necessary in order toinsure uni`- form piston travel and absorb all ofthe slack. due to excess wear of the parts as it occurs. 1V hen it isA necessaryl to replace worn brakeI shoes, the shims a-re'raisedv in the manner above described and the rod 172 forced inward* ly to normalfposition..

From the above it will bej seen that the present invention contemplates a highly reliable and etiicient slack adjuster mechanism well adapted lto accomplish among others all? ofthe objects and advantages hereinafter set forth.

Wit-hout further analysis the foregoingA will so fully reveal the gist of this invention thatothers canY byapplying current knowledgeV readily adapt it for various applicascribed, in combination, a two-art telescopic push rod adapted to have its effective length varied for permanently taking up and holding the excess travel, and means for holding the push rod in its newly adjusted position comprising a pluralityI of shims a housing formed in.` one of the parts of the push rod Within which said shims are located, the cooperating part of said push rod being provided wi'th. a slot. beneath the shims whereby said' shims may be raised on insertion of a member through said slot to permit relative movement of one part with respect to the other part-of said push rod.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a.two.part,telescopic pushV rod comprising a barrelV member andI a rod, a housing formed in the barrel; member, azplurality of. shims in said. housing;normal-V ly resting upon the rod and adapted to drop downA between the end of a rode and theend wall of the housing as the effective. length.v of said rod is increased, the underside of; said housingv being provided with; an open. ing through which a flat member maybeinserted for raising the, shims. tof permit the ro d; to. be moved;inwardlyY with respect; to@ the tubular member.,

3. In an apparatus of' the; character; dei-v scribed, in combination,l atwo-parateleSwpc push rod comprising abarrel member? and a.. rod, a housing formed. in the barrel; memberg, a plurality of'shims in said housing?normally.,r resting upon the rod and; adapted,to.g dr@| down between the end of ai rod: andthe en wall of theV housing as theeectve; length of said rod is increased',A the; underside; of" said housing being provided with anpopnn ing]y through, which a fiat member may. be inserted for raising theshiins'io permit/1th@ rod' to, be moved'inwardly; with.. respect to; the tubular member, theend-:o said,l rod also being slotted: to,v correspond with a, slot in the bottom wall. of said: housing.

Signedaty New York city this 8th daya of January, 12925.

VILLLAM SAUVAGE. 

